One of the great challenges of our time is saving the natural environment and the rich array of life it supports on land and in the sea. On land, our last unspoiled places offer an opportunity to conserve wildlife habitat and pristine landscapes for future generations. Reforms to our oceans are essential to address overfishing, pollution, climate change, and loss of habitat. And investments in clean energy can reduce dependence on oil, create jobs, and decrease carbon emissions. Pew’s work in the United States and abroad helps preserve wilderness, restore biodiversity, promote energy efficiency, and increase understanding of ocean ecology.

Wood bison, which once roamed Canada’s boreal forest in numbers estimated at nearly 170,000, hold bragging rights as North America’s largest terrestrial animal. Standing up to 6 feet tall at the shoulder and weighing as much as 2,000 pounds, they are 15 percent bigger than their more famous cousins, the Plains bison. Read More

WASHINGTON—The Congress of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) passed legislation in early February to create a shark sanctuary in the country’s full exclusive economic zone (EEZ), which covers nearly 3 million square kilometers (1.1 million square miles) in the western Pacific Ocean. Read More

Some of the smallest fish in the sea play one of the biggest roles in ocean ecosystems. Baitfish, such as mullet, ballyhoo, and sardines—also known as forage species—are food for seabirds; marine mammals, including whales and dolphins; and important fish species, such as tarpon, grouper, and king mackerel. Without enough forage fish, marine ecosystems that provide recreation, jobs, and seafood... Read More

Research & Analysis

WASHINGTON—The Pew Charitable Trusts today commended Rep. Mike Simpson and Sen. Jim Risch of Idaho for their continued interest in preserving the Boulder-White Clouds region through federal legislation that would also foster the economic growth of local communities. Read More

Ocean warming and acidification are already having measurable effects on marine ecosystems, but their implications for the future are substantially more serious. They already appear to be changing productivity, shifting populations, and damaging the carbonate shells of plankton and shellfish. To date, however, fishery managers have faced challenges in incorporating these anticipated changes into... Read More

In February 2015, the federal government proposed new rules for offshore oil and gas companies to improve safety and prevent spills in the U.S. Arctic Ocean. Until the rule is finalized, no Arctic-specific standards exist, even though the region is much more remote and the conditions much more challenging than in the temperate waters where most of our country’s offshore drilling occurs. Read More

The United States has long been a global leader in innovation and entrepreneurship. The clean energy sector is expected to grow from its current level of $250 billion in private investment annually to an estimated $7 trillion by 2030. Read More

Traditional energy resources such as oil and gas have received incentives from the U.S. government for more than a century. Now, federal programs are also spurring emerging technologies, including solar power. Read More

Wood bison, which once roamed Canada’s boreal forest in numbers estimated at nearly 170,000, hold bragging rights as North America’s largest terrestrial animal. Standing up to 6 feet tall at the shoulder and weighing as much as 2,000 pounds, they are 15 percent bigger than their more famous cousins, the Plains bison. Read More

WASHINGTON—The Congress of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) passed legislation in early February to create a shark sanctuary in the country’s full exclusive economic zone (EEZ), which covers nearly 3 million square kilometers (1.1 million square miles) in the western Pacific Ocean. Read More

Multimedia

Some of the smallest fish in the sea play one of the biggest roles in ocean ecosystems. Baitfish, such as mullet, ballyhoo, and sardines—also known as forage species—are food for seabirds; marine mammals, including whales and dolphins; and important fish species, such as tarpon, grouper, and king mackerel. Without enough forage fish, marine ecosystems that provide recreation, jobs, and seafood... Read More

In February 2015, the federal government proposed new rules for offshore oil and gas companies to improve safety and prevent spills. Here are some of the key challenges in the U.S. Arctic Ocean, and Pew’s recommendations for handling them. Read More

Scientific explorations have revealed an abundance of deep-sea corals off the mid-Atlantic coast of the United States. These slow-growing formations can live hundreds of years and shelter an array of amazing animals. But deep-sea corals are as fragile as they are fantastic, and fishing gear can easily damage or destroy them. Read More

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